Cooking with Mamma C

  • Recipes
  • Cod
  • Cookbook
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cod Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • About
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Cod Recipes
    • Cookbook
    • About
    • Contact
    • Newsletter
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Breakfast

    Italian Bread French Toast

    Updated: Apr 24, 2026 by Mamma C · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    • Facebook
    • Email
    • Flipboard
    Jump to Recipe
    pinnable image for italian bread french toast

    You'll love this Italian Bread French Toast flavored with almond and cinnamon! You can use store-bought bread or homemade from my Italian Bread Recipes collection. Slice it into thick pieces and enjoy this delicious French Toast!

    three slices of italian bread french toast on a plate with syrup

    French toast lovers, let me tell you a secret. Italian Bread French Toast is where it's at!

    I'm talking about ¾-inch thick slices of crusty, delicious bread soaked in almond-flavored custard and browned in butter until crispy. Sprinkled with cinnamon and topped with maple syrup, it tastes out of this world!

    I don't know if "Italian" French toast was ever a thing...but it is now. And, you have to try Mom's Orange French Toast!

    Recipe ingredients

    egg, milk, butter, italian bread, almond extract, salt, cinnamon.

    Bread: Try it with Bread Machine Italian Bread, Homemade Italian Bread, Artisan Italian Bread or even panettone. Of course, you can buy a loaf of Italian bread and slice it yourself.

    Milk: Feel free to use full-fat or low-fat milk. I enjoy making this French Toast with fat-free half-and-half.

    Almond Extract: I've said it before and will say it again: homemade French Toast, pancakes and waffles need a different flavoring than vanilla so they won't taste bland. I use almond extract (affiliate link) in my pancakes with almond milk and dairy-free waffles.

    Cinnamon: This recipe calls for the cinnamon to be sprinkled on top of the cooked French Toast, instead of being added to the batter. This allows the flavor to pop, and it's so delicious with the almond-accented French Toast!

    How to make it

    See the card at the end of this post for the full recipe, but here's an overview.

    bread dipped in egg, cooked in pan.
    1. Beat the egg with milk, almond extract and a little salt.
    2. Dip the Italian bread into the egg mixture, flipping as needed to soak both sides well.
    3. Melt butter in a skillet or griddle and cook the bread until it's browned on both sides.

    What to serve with it

    Top the Italian Bread French Toast with cinnamon, then drizzle on maple syrup. You won't need any extra butter!

    Serve it with a side of Italian dessert strawberries for a delicious breakfast or with Italian sausage and egg casserole for a heartier meal.

    Recipe tips

    • Use a nonstick pan or griddle (affiliate links) so the French Toast won't stick.
    • Covering the pan while cooking the French Toast helps to brown it more quickly.
    three slices of italian bread french toast on a plate with syrup

    How to store leftover French Toast

    Store any leftover French Toast in a sealed container in the refrigerator and use it or freeze it by the next day.

    For longer storage, you can freeze the French Toast the same day you make it, as long as you let it cool off first. Place the cooled French Toast in a zip-top freezer bag, separating the slices with wax paper. Freeze it for up to two months for the best quality.

    More recipes to try

    • Orange-Pumpkin French Toast
    • Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes
    • Banana-Walnut Pancakes
    • 31 Pancake Ideas
    • Orange-Chocolate Chip Pancakes

    Enjoy!

    If you try this Italian Bread French Toast recipe, please leave a comment and a rating!

    three slices of italian bread french toast on a plate with syrup

    Italian Bread French Toast

    You'll love this Italian Bread French Toast flavored with almond and cinnamon! You can use store-bought bread or homemade.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate Save Go to Collections
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: Italian-American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 6 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 11 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 428kcal
    Author: Mamma C

    Ingredients

    • 1 egg (extra large)
    • ¼ cup milk (or half & half)
    • 3 sprinkles salt
    • 1 teaspoon almond extract
    • 2 slices Italian bread (¾-inch thick. See notes.)
    • 1 tablespoon salted butter (divided use)
    • cinnamon (for serving)
    • maple syrup (for serving)

    Instructions

    • In a small mixing bowl, add the egg, milk, salt and almond extract. Beat well with a fork or whisk.
    • Stack the bread in the bowl. Coat both sides of each slice with the egg mixture, letting it soak in. (Using a spatula, you can take turns carefully transferring the bottom piece of bread to the top of the stack, then flip the bread and repeat.) If there is leftover egg mixture, pour some on each piece when you start cooking.
    • Heat a skillet or griddle to medium-high. (If using an electric skillet, set it to 375 degrees F.) Melt ½ tablespoon of butter in the pan and spread it around with a spatula to coat the pan. Add the bread in a single layer. Cook covered, and lower the heat a bit. Start checking each piece after 3 minutes on the first side.
    • Flip each slice when it is browned. Add another ½ tablespoon of butter to the pan and use your spatula to disperse it so it flows underneath the bread. Cover and cook for another 2-3 minutes until browned, lowering the heat if the French Toast is getting dark too quickly.
    • Sprinkle cinnamon on the French toast and serve with maple syrup.

    Notes

    • The batter is enough for two large, ¾-inch thick slices of Italian bread. If you use narrow or thinner slices of bread, you can make 3 pieces with this recipe. 
    • Nutrition info does not include syrup.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 199mg | Sodium: 1492mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 648IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Mention @cookingwithmammac or tag #CookingWithMammaC!

    (Recipe Source: Cooking with Mamma C)

    Don't miss my Pasta & Sauces E-Cookbook! Please SUBSCRIBE and follow me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM!

    More Breakfast Recipes

    • asparagus frittata on a platter garnished with basil leaves
      Mom's Asparagus Frittata
    • arugula frittata in cast iron pan garnished with arugula
      Baked Arugula Frittata
    • stack of lemon blueberry pancakes cut open and topped with syrup
      Lemon-Blueberry Pancakes
    • stack of lemon ricotta pancakes with strawberries
      Lemon Ricotta Pancakes Recipe
    • Facebook
    • Email
    • Flipboard

    Comments

    No Comments

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Hi, I'm Andrea, also known as Mamma C. I've been sharing family-tested recipes from my Italian-American kitchen for 11 years! I hope you'll visit often!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • slice of cheesecake on plate
      Fluffy Crustless Cheesecake (NY Style)
    • OVEN-FRIED COD RECIPE (CRISPY & DELICIOUS!)
      Oven-Fried Cod Recipe (Crispy & Delicious!)
    • portion of zucchini casserole on plate
      Italian Zucchini Bake
    • plate of sausage, peppers and onions
      Baked Sausage, Peppers and Onions

    Cookie Recipes

    • bowl of homemade chocolate frosting
      Chocolate Frosting for Brownies
    • chocolate-dipped biscotti held up on a platter
      Hazelnut Biscotti with Chocolate
    • platter of italian lemon knot cookies
      Anginetti (Lemon Knot Cookies)
    • platter of italian jam cookies with powdered sugar
      Italian Jam Cookies (Pizzicati)
    • frosted brownies on a plate
      The Best Brownies with Frosting
    • plate of amaretti cookies topped with almonds
      Italian Amaretti Cookies (Soft & Chewy)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    RECIPES

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    About

    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • ACCESSIBILITY
    • Cookbook
    • Web Stories
     

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2014-2026 Cooking with Mamma C®

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.